Hyundai's next sedan
 

Linky

So apparently, Hyundai (of all automakers) is going to build a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan with available V8 power. It will supposedly be priced in the same range as the Chrysler 300 and upcoming Pontiac G8. The name of the production version has yet to be decided, but the "Genesis" name on the concept seems most likely.

The base engine will be a 3.8 L V6, which currently gets 263 hp in the Azera sedan, with an all new 4.6 L V8 available, which according to Hyundai will get "well over" 300 hp and 300 lbf-lf torque, and propel the car to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The V8 will be mated to a ZF-sourced six-speed automatic.

This is another indication of the strides Hyundai has made in the last few years, and although I'm still wrapping my head around the concept of a car like this built by an automaker known for econo-boxes, the more mainstream RWD on the market, the better. And although no new ground is being broken here, if Hyundai can execute this car well, then more power to them.

On the other hand, this will definitely hurt Chrysler, because a big factor in the continued success of the LX cars (one of Chrysler's few bright spots these days) is their uniqueness as the only modern non-luxury RWD sedans on the North American market. With GM going to import the Holden Commodore as the Pontiac G8 and build the next Impala on the same RWD platform, plus the possibility of Ford turning the Interceptor concept into a production car that would replace the aging Crown Victoria, the LX cars are suddenly going to have a lot of competition where previously they had none, and that will undoubtedly hurt sales. On the other hand, competition is good for everyone, so Chrysler had better find a way to adapt and make the next Charger and 300 unique in some way from the gaggle of competitors that are about the hit the market. I wonder how many other automakers will jump on this bandwagon?

Do people actually buy Hyundai's? :down:

When I imagine a hyundai, I imagine POS. Not good!

It's a cheapest and most reliable POS you can find with best warranty out there. Although it was named worst car of the year by Top Gear :D

Happy Owner of 2000 accent GL

(In past 7 years, my car had two problems; rear right and left automatic window came off track...and that's it!)

I've seen a couple that had either the right front of left front wheel nearly come off - hanging there be whatever mechanism is left holding it, cocked sideways. SO maybe you need that warranty because no one would ever buy them otherwise? :D Not picking on your car too much though - The windows coming off track are a bit extreme (and not acceptable) in my book, but if that is all you had all those years, then I'd say you're doing pretty good!

-S

Not anymore. Their current lineup is a quantum leap over the stuff they were offering even 5 years ago. Last year, JD Power ranked them as the most reliable mainstream brand, even ahead of Toyota, if you can believe that. Toyota themeselves have admitted that they are getting worried about Hyundai, so I don't think anyone should underestimate them: Who knows where they'll be in ten years.

They are worried about low end market share maybe. Reliability is easy to maintain if your customers don't bother ever reving the engine!! :D

But anyway, at least I can tell you where Hyundai will be in the future - Not in My Driveway! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:I see one occasionally out here on the West Coast, but they are rare. Most of them are just plain ugly except for their sports car looking one - but even that is boring compared to what else is available on the market.

Yeah I wouldnt Lowball them either Hyundai is one of the truly capable companies in the world.

I think that's what Americans kept saying during early days of Asian car invasion....and look where we are now.

Hyundai Excel
 

My parents used to have an early 1990s Hyundai Excel - worst piece of sh*t my family ever owned. It consistently refused to start in wet weather, and the paint on the hood and roof faded from red to pink in only a few years.:o They finally sold to to a woman on our street, but she sold it herself after about a year - to a teenager who painted it bright purple and used it for a dirt-track race car.:p In answer to everyone's next question - no, I don't know why he did that any more than you do.:doh: Anyway, he scrapped it after a year or so, and it ended up crushed at a local junk yard.:up: Presumably to be recycled and made into more Hyundais...:shifty:

I guess if you want boring and cheap, there ya go. Since they say cars mimic your personality, I guess it makes a pretty good statement.

I don't see them as taking over any markets, but then again, us Americans buy a lot of cheap Chinese crap, so why not a cheap boring crappy car too?

-S

Chrysler is up for sale if anyone is looking for a deal.

...you know, there isn't anything wrong with boring and cheap. I cannot afford a car that will kill me.....and I use car for transportation, not a status display.

If you drive mileage every day, then yes, boring and cheap is no good. You must like driving your car to help eliminate the chore of getting to and fro. And no, I don't own a BMW for status display either. So what's your point, or what are you trying to say outside of affordability?

-S

PS. Safety is actually what I go after first, then fun second.

I dont know how this will turn out, but the worst car i ever drove was a Hyundai Accent. What a dog.

German cars for the win!

On the east coast you would see a lot of Hyundai's and Kia's. Korea is making big in-roads in the market.